I’d rather been hoping that this was just a one-off campaign rally moment which was good for a few laughs, but it seems to be gaining some traction among President Trump’s base and even other world leaders. The subject at hand involves the potential success of talks with Kim Jong-un and subsequent hopes for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. At Trump’s Michigan rally on Saturday night, the crowd broke out into a chant of “Nobel,” suggesting once again that the President (and probably three other world leaders) should be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts. And it’s not just the people at the rally saying it. (Washington Times)

There it was, rising up like a mighty refrain from thousands of enthusiastic people: “Nobel, Nobel, Nobel!” The spontaneous, rhythmic chant from a crowd at President Trump’s campaign-style rally just 48 hours ago has put the news media on edge. A growing number of significant folk are backing the idea that Mr. Trump should receive a Nobel Peace Prize for his steadfast finesse in brokering a peace between North and South Korea after decades of war between the two nations.

Should this come to pass, Mr. Trump would be the fifth U.S. president to receive the honor, joining former presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama on the rarefied roster. Roosevelt was primarily a Republican, while the other three are Democrats. Like a growing economy and increasing job creation, a Nobel Prize for Mr. Trump would be a considerable asset for his 2020 re-election campaign.

British bookmaker Coral is currently offering 2/1 odds that Mr. Trump — along with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un — will win the Nobel later this year. It is an evolving situation. Public reaction ranges from prudent guarded optimism to enthusiasm and downright dismay.

We’re up to the point where professional oddsmakers are taking bets on Trump and Kim (likely along with Xi Jinping Moon Jae-in) being feted in this fashion. Even South Korea’s president is pitching for Trump to get it. Seriously?

Look, I’m not saying that this wouldn’t be a historic moment if Kim actually backs all the way down and abandons his nuclear weapons. It would be a definite reason to consider the leaders involved in making it happen for the Peace Prize. So I don’t want to give anyone the impression that I think Trump should be barred from a nomination for the award.

But aren’t we being a bit premature here? Did we learn nothing from the laughable fiasco of giving the same award to Obama before he’d even found his way into the Oval Office bathroom? In fact, the bestowing of the Peace Prize on Obama went a long way toward undermining the value of the medal, along with several other dubious recipients in the past few decades. (The European Union, Al Gore and Arafat come to mind.) Let’s remember that we’re still dealing with Kim Jong-un here. Despite all of his broad smiles, handshakes and happy talk for the cameras, this is the same maniac who has jacked up the entire world on multiple occasions over this precise subject.

Yes, it’s possible that Kim has somehow seen the light and is thinking that true disarmament and peace with South Korea is now looking advantageous. And if he allows the IAEA and western media into his country and proves that all of his nuclear facilities are gone and he’s ready to start acting like a responsible member of the international community then by all means, go for it. Give the award to Trump and Kim or all four of the leaders involved. I’ll spring for a case of beer for the celebration.

But right now we don’t know if any of this is really going to happen. Handing out the award only to have Kim bail on the deal as soon as he gets what he wants and start testing more nukes would make Trump look as silly as Barack Obama. I’m not saying it can’t be done. But let’s verify the results before we begin planning the party.